What is Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)?
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a type of thermal analysis which measures the difference in heat energy between a sample and reference. The sample and reference are subjected to temperature increases and decreases at a predetermined rate of time simultaneously. Since the sample and reference are different materials, different heat energies are required to raise the temperature of the sample and reference. The differences between the sample and reference heat energy are used to determine a sample’s specific thermal properties such as the heat of reaction (enthalpy) and whether exothermic or endothermic events have occurred.
What information can Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) Provide?
The amount of heat that is transferred to the sample can be measured as a function of temperature or time resulting in a DSC thermogram. The thermogram of a sample can reveal different phase transitions and thermal behaviors such as the glass transition temperature (Tg), melts, crystallization, cure reactions, oxidative induction time, specific heat capacity (Cp), and more.
What Materials can be analyzed using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)?
Many materials are well suited for a DSC analysis. These include a variety of organic materials, pharmaceuticals, polymers, fluoropolymers, thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, composites, ceramics, metals, even foreign or unknown materials.